East elections, perversion of democracy, says Tamil Arasu Kadchi

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 February 2008, 04:19 GMT]Outlining the reasons for not participating in the forthcoming local elections in the east, a press release issued by Mavai Senathirajah, General Secretary, Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) in Colombo Wednesday, said: TMVP, an armed paramilitary group which is aligning with the ruling party in the forthcoming elections is openly brandishing weapons and has a strong presence in Batticalo district. The release added that in this climate of fear, elections will be a perversion of democracy, and ITAK has decided not to participate.

"It is the public belief that the T.M.V.P enjoys the patronage of the present Government; that the Police and Armed forces are hand in glove with the T.M.V.P; and will never enforce the law against the T.M.V.P. Consequently, the civilian citizenry experience a deep sense of insecurity. The people are gripped with the fear that the T.M.V.P could with impunity inflict the penalty of death on any one, who offends them in anyway, as has happened in several
instances," the press release added.

The release further said that "ITAK is convinced that the Government will not take any legal action, against the T.M.V.P for any of its crimes, and will give the T.M.V.P a free hand to
commit such crimes during the current electoral process."

The press release detailed the violence perpetrated by TMVP on Tamil politicians. The release further accused the Sri Lanka Government of colonizing the east, and declaring high security zones in predominantly Tamil areas preventing the resettling of displaced Tamils.

Under these circumstances elections will be "illegitimate and farcical," and ITAK has decided not to participate, the release said.